Who may request my credit report?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) permits a credit reporting company to send your credit report to creditors, government authorities, landlords, employers, and others it has reason to believe intend to use the report for:

A credit transaction, such as offering credit, reviewing an account, or collecting on an account.

Offering insurance coverage or setting insurance premium charges

Employment purposes, which includes prospective employment or promotion, reassignment or retention in your current job. You must provide written consent before a prospective or current employer can get a copy of your credit report

Determining eligibility for government benefits or licenses

A legitimate business need in connection with a transaction that you initiated, such as a rental application

The FCRA also permits a credit reporting company to send your credit report in response to:

Court orders, subpoenas, or for certain child support awards and enforcement purposes

Potential investors or servicers, or current insurers of credit portfolios

Written instructions from you

In a process called prescreening, the FCRA also permits prospective creditors or insurers to access certain information in your credit file in order to make you a firm offer of credit or insurance. You can opt out of prescreening.

No one should request your credit report without a valid purpose allowed by the law. Anyone who uses or obtains a copy of your credit report under false pretenses may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

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The content on this page provides general consumer information. It is not legal advice or regulatory guidance. The CFPB updates this information periodically. This information may include links or references to third-party resources or content. We do not endorse the third-party or guarantee the accuracy of this third-party information. There may be other resources that also serve your needs.

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